Thanks to library friends
Dear Editor,
Oct. 21-27 is National Friends of the Library week. This is a great opportunity for us all to express a huge thank you to the Friends of the Morgan Hill Library for all their hard work on behalf of literacy and library services in Morgan Hill. For many years, our Friends have raised funds to support library programs like the summer reading club, children’s storytimes, book discussion group, bestseller collection, and other enhancements to the collection. And, under the leadership of President Carol O’Hare, they recently raised almost a quarter of a million dollars to enhance our beautiful new library with public art and improvements to the collection.
One of the features of our new library is a bookstore, where the Friends will continue to raise important funds to support library programs and collections. During this week celebrating Friends groups across the country, we hope you’ll drop by the bookstore to support the Friends, ask how you can become a member, and volunteer some time to help. More information about the Friends of the Morgan Hill Library can be found on their Web site at: http://www.friendsmhlibrary.org/
Morgan Hill is fortunate to have such a dedicated and hardworking group of Friends. Thank you Friends of the Morgan Hill Library!
Rosanne Macek, Morgan Hill
COMMUNITY LIBRARIAN
Gore wins the Nobel, what’s next?
Dear Editor,
So former Vice President Al Gore is getting the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on global warming. This is the same guy who, as vice president, made the following profound statements:
“It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.” And, “We are ready for an unforeseen event that may or may not occur.”
Perhaps the committee should also consider Jimmy Durante for Miss America and Britney Spears for membership in Mensa..
Bob rich, Morgan Hill
Perchlorate Community Advisory Group’s important role
Dear Editor,
I’m writing in response to your Oct. 9 Morgan Hill Times story, “Perchlorate Hearing gets Yawns.” While I agree that the nature of these meetings can be tedious, and technical, the mission of the Perchlorate Community Advisory Group (PCAG) is to advise the water board regarding the impacts to the community. In addition, PCAG advises the water board on remediation strategies that best meet the needs of our communities. The only way to accomplish this mission is through community input and education.
This complicated issue has affected thousands of families in Morgan Hill, San Martin, and the surrounding unincorporated area. The PCAG meetings are not just for show; they are a critical component to timely resolution of this water contamination issue.
The business of holding Olin accountable and getting a cleanup plan in place is hard work and difficult at times to understand, but with community participation, we will continue to try to protect our neighbors and our communities. Participation can be done in the form of asking questions, making comments or just being there to support PCAG’s work.
We have a narrow window of opportunity to be heard regarding the Draft Cleanup or Abatement Order (long term groundwater cleanup). Please plan to attend the final question and comment meeting this Thursday at the San Martin Lions Hall, 12415 Murphy Ave. The meeting is in the evening for your convenience and starts at 7 p.m. sharp.
Additional Perchlorate information is available at the Morgan Hill Library, or online at www.smneighbor.org. Please contact me if you have questions or comments. crime would be non-existent.
Swanee Edwards, Morgan Hill
Setting record straight for Congressman Jerry McNerney
Dear Editor,
I would like to clarify some issues that were discussed in your Oct. 16 article about Dean Andal.
Regarding the statement that Andal regards himself as an environmentalist, the record shows that Andal never received more than a single digit score from the League of Conservation voters. Even though Andal claims that he and Congressman Jerry McNerney agree that investing in alternative fuels is something that he (Andal) is “for,” Andal has voted in favor of offshore drilling “to decrease our dependence on the Middle East”
Mr. Andal has accused Jerry McNerney of “increasing taxes” when Jerry actually voted no to extending the President’s $400-billion tax cut. What Jerry did was say no to continuing huge tax cuts for the wealthy while the country is funding an incredibly expensive war on the backs of our children. Many who will be denied a chance at basic health care now.
Congressman McNerney has supported small business tax cuts here in the 11th District, which helps drive small business, the backbone of our economy. The vote by McNerney sounds fiscally responsible to me.
Lastly, Congressman McNerney has made the grueling trip from Washington D.C. to District 11 every week to conduct his “Congress at your Corner” events and to attend the numerous local and community events designed to keep him in touch with as many District 11 constituents as possible. This is exhausting work and he is often away from his family, yet he is passionate about District 11 and it’s people. He is passionate about Alternative Energy and our returning veterans and his voting record proves this.
While we welcome Dean Andal’s entry into this race to discuss the issues we are facing, let’s make sure that the record is accurate about the wonderful and very important work that has already been accomplished by Congressman McNerney.
charmaine jabr, morgan hill
